When an employee is injured on the job, they may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, which typically include coverage for medical expenses, including physical therapy.
The goal of physical therapy in workers' compensation cases is to help the injured worker recover from their injury or illness, regain function, and return to work safely and as quickly as possible. Physical therapists who specialize in workers' compensation cases assess the injured worker's condition, develop a personalized treatment plan, and provide therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing pain, improving mobility, strength, and function, and facilitating the healing process.
Physical therapy for workers' compensation cases may include a variety of interventions, such as:
- Exercise programs: Tailored exercises to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and promote functional recovery.
- Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
- Modalities: The use of therapeutic modalities such as heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or traction to reduce pain and inflammation and facilitate tissue healing.
- Education: Providing the injured worker with information and guidance on injury prevention, body mechanics, ergonomic principles, and safe work practices to prevent re-injury.
- Work conditioning or work hardening programs: Structured rehabilitation programs designed to simulate work tasks and prepare the injured worker for a safe return to their job duties.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the workers' compensation process by helping injured workers recover from their injuries, restore function, and return to work in a timely and safe manner, ultimately reducing the financial burden on both the injured worker and the employer.
